Like most journalists, I look to reports like the recently released Tow Center report on the changing nature of the field for guidance, for ways of thinking about what I do. But what I find is that what I do as a critic is increasingly marginalized or ignored by such studies.

In the thousands of words in the report from Tow, based at the Columbia School of Journalism and written by some of the finest minds in the field, there is a glaring void. There is no real consideration of cultural dialogue and criticism, perhaps the fastest shrinking segment of mainstream media today. Journalism worth doing is defined as investigative, watchdog journalism, the stories that somebody, somewhere doesn't want written. I would agree that this is the core of good journalism. | April 2, 2013»Read Full Blog Post(9)

Days after Milwaukee's most famous stringed instrument was recovered and after two suspects in its theft were charged, violinist Frank Almond returns to the stage Monday evening with the rare Stradivarius in hand.

When we first saw Josh Landay on a Milwaukee stage, he was making his Milwaukee Repertory Theater debut as Tateh, the ebullient Jewish immigrant in "Ragtime," whom Landay played with winning enthusiasm.

Verily! Go!

'Tis a proper tale for summer and must needs an optimist to tell it properly. The Optimist Theatre company wishes to put on Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale" this summer. Its performances are free and take place in Kadish Park on the hill above the Milwaukee River. But therein lies the rub. Free performances still cost money to stage. So the merry troupe is holding a fundraiser — "Unsphere the Stars" — Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Turner Hall Ballroom, 1040 N. 4th St. It will offer up a variety show with comic frivolity from Phil Johnson and musical stylings from Janet O'Mahony. Tickets are $35, and the group has a matching challenge grant from BMO Harris Bank. | Feb. 9, 2014»Read Full Article

The Grammy-nominated recording artist known as 2 Chainz provided an empowering evening of entertainment at a sold-out Eagles Ballroom at the Rave Saturday.

It began with a lone word appearing on a screen on the stage: "Dream." There was the recorded reading of a poem and imaginative video performances by a troupe of dancers in silhouette. And there was a montage of figures - Martin Luther King Jr.; Michael Jordan, Rocky Balboa - whose very presence provided profound inspiration. | Feb. 9, 2014»Read Full Article(1)